Why I Don’t Worry About Goldenrod Allergies

Last Wednesday (Sept. 7, 2016) in Canaan Valley, Phyllis and I were awed by acres of Goldenrod gracing the slopes of the South Glade Run Crossing trail. We ambled through waist-high fields that glowed in both sun and shadow. And you know what? We didn’t sneeze, sniffle, or scratch our itchy eyes—not one time. We reveled in fields of gold without a hitch. That’s because Goldenrod is not to blame for allergy flare-ups. Ragweed is the real culprit. It’s estimated that 90% of pollen-induced allergies is due to ragweed. 

South Glade Run Crossing Trail

So why does Goldenrod get the blame? Probably because Ragweed and Goldenrod bloom at the same time of year—late summer and early fall. Since Goldenrod is by far the showier of the two plants, people notice Goldenrod and fault it for the allergies. Ragweed, on the other hand, is a small plant with a short stem of green or white blossoms. It’s not nearly as conspicuous. People see the bushy stems of Goldenrod covered with flowers and think pollen! 
 

South Glade Run Crossing Trail

Indeed, when inhaled, pollen from plants can cause allergic reactions. But the pollen from Goldenrod differs greatly from that of Ragweed. Plants employ pollen to reproduce, but rely on different modes of transport from plant to plant for pollination. Ragweed relies on air-borne pollen to reproduce. To be picked up by the air and wafted to another plant perhaps miles away, Ragweed pollen must be small and light-weight. There’s a numbers game, too. To increase the odds of pollination, a single Ragweed plant can produce up to a billion grains of pollen in one season. With the air so full of Ragweed pollen, those susceptible to allergies are bound to suffer.

Monarch Butterfly on Goldenrod

In contrast, the pollen of Goldenrod is much larger than Ragweed. It’s too large to be picked up and carried by the wind for any distance. Instead, Goldenrod relies on butterflies and bees to carry pollen from one plant to another. Being a more direct way of transportation, less pollen is needed. 

South Glade Run Crossing Trail

That’s why I don’t worry about Goldenrod allergies. Instead I enjoy fields of Goldenrod without fear. And so can you. As I mentioned at the start, there’s plenty of Goldenrod on the South Glade Run Crossing trail in Canaan Valley. See my post of September 2nd for more about this trail and how to enjoy it. South Glade Run Crossing Trail Post

For a Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trail map click this link: CVNWR Trail Map.